The global healthcare challenge
Recognizing the importance of a good night’s rest, the 19th century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Health is the first muse, and sleep is the condition to produce it.” Today’s medical science proves him right. Research in recent years has shown that those who suffer from the sleep disorder Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – characterized by the repeated cessation of breathing during sleep – are at possible increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and heart attack, stroke, diabetes as well as fatigue-related motor vehicle and work accidents. One woman's storyDenise, a 55 year-old former bank employee from the United States, didn’t know anything about OSA, but she did know that her heavy snoring drove her husband of 35 years to sleep in the guest room. Loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, which can be a life-threatening condition. “I was depressed so I talked to my doctor,” she explains. “He prescribed anti-depressants, which didn’t help at all.” That’s when doctors suggested an overnight sleep study. The results were startling. “They told me I had stopped breathing 46 times an hour while I was asleep!” This caused low blood oxygen levels, which meant her heart had to work harder, and Denise felt sleepy during the day. Sleep therapyThat all changed when Denise began using Philips Respironics’ continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy when she sleeps. The CPAP machine and mask for her face increase air pressure in Denise’s throat so that her airway does not collapse when she breathes in. Philips Respironics’ products are designed to be simple to use and natural and easy to live with – providing Denise with the essential treatment she needs, and allowing her and her husband, Russ, a restful night’s sleep. Home HealthcareIt is estimated that in the United States alone there are 18-20 million sufferers of moderate or severe OSA, of which only 15-20% have been diagnosed. Our acquisition of Respironics is a significant step in strengthening our Home Healthcare business, giving us a leading position in the fast-growing areas of sleep management, respiratory care and non-invasive ventilation. Left: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Right: normal breathing
Our series of new portable, compact patient monitors provides a reliable and affordable means to observe and care for patients. Introduced in India, the new Philips SureSigns VM3 is the first Philips patient monitor designed for emerging markets. Rapidly changing healthcare servicesWith a growing per capita income and the adoption of new lifestyles, healthcare services in India are rapidly changing. To meet the increasing demand for quality care, people in urban areas have seen the construction of new, state-of-the-art hospitals and associated satellite facilities, while others are increasingly seeking care at smaller nursing homes and clinics. This has fueled demand for healthcare equipment including patient monitors. Our objective is to garner a market share of 40% by 2010 through our diverse range of patient monitoring equipment. Access to more affordable equipmentHigh-end patient monitors are out of reach for many small to mid-sized clinics, forcing doctors and nurses to decide upon treatment only based on visible symptoms. Sometimes this means they must wait for a patient’s condition to deteriorate before changing treatment. With access to more affordable patient monitoring equipment, clinicians are able to observe a patient’s vital signs and make more informed, timely decisions about patient care. 
In 2008, Philips introduced the latest additions to its HD ultrasound family of products, the Philips HD7 and Philips HD15. The HD7 was introduced to Europe in March at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) in Vienna. It draws upon an array of features and capabilities available on high-end Philips systems and puts them into an affordable, mobile unit that is well-suited for a wide variety of clinical settings. Developed with clinicians in mind, the ergonomic, easy-to-use system can meet the demands for high-volume use in a wide range of clinical applications. Superb imaging and workflow performance in a cost-effective systemThe Philips HD15 ultrasound system is a new platform designed to deliver an advanced level of image clarity and broad application support for everyday use in small hospitals, clinics and private practices. The system may be used as a primary system for some users, particularly those in emerging markets who require a feature-rich system but may not need all of the features of a high-end ultrasound solution.
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